Descripción: In years past, this elegant venue was the waiting room for first-class train passengers. Nowadays, the Art Nouveau-styled space invites travelers and other folks into a haven of beauty, where they can indulge in a variety of terrific fare throughout the day. Whether your appetite is large or small, you can get a full, three-course meal or simply have a sandwich and a drink. Regular, gourmet specials provide an upscale note and ensure that no one goes away hungry. Ideal for on-the-run professionals.

 

Descripción: Signature restaurant of the stylish Blakes hotel, this enviable eatery melds urban and Asian aesthetics in a 17th century building. Its culinary stylings are just as eclectic. In a former bakery where natural materials add warmth to a black-and-white color scheme, diners are plied with foods that mix Asian, Continental, and Mediterranean flair. To wit: Foie gras soup tinged with coconut milk and red curry, sea bass with black squid-and-ginger sauce, seared tuna sushi, duck, fillet of veal, chilli-seared langoustines, and beef sirloin with green papaya salad. Careful service and flawless presentation render this chic boutique restaurant a must-do.

 

Descripción: Down an alley in the Red Light District lies this Mediterranean restaurant, a two-level place with both bar and dining room. The clean-lined interior ensures that food, more than decor, receives the attention it's due. Attentive service, an accomplished kitchen, and an outdoor terrace appeal to those who stop in for the first time and are ready proof for regulars that Blauw aan de Wal is always ideal for a meal that's large on quiet, quality, and charm.

 

Descripción: JORDAAN. A contemporary, black-and-white setting serves as the backdrop for Bordewijk's cuisine, which is anything but monochromatic. In fact, the French-inspired fare is highly inventive, and Asian and Italian influences imbue dishes with added character. Poultry, seafood, pork, beef, and pasta all benefit from the kitchen's capable hand, and the terrific wine list ensures an ideal complement. The menu changes frequently, and fixed-price options are available as well. An outdoor terrace accommodates when evenings are warm.

 

Descripción: This engaging, established restaurant attracts a diverse mix of people, and depending on when you visit, you'll encounter folks from the world over, including local concert-goers, business professionals, and well-to-do city denizens. The menu boasts a broad scope, pulling inspiration from Asia, the Continent, and the Mediterranean world. In fact, you're likely to see sauteed Dover sole, veal, venison, spring rolls, black pudding, and seafood lasagna among other standouts on the menu. Great outdoor dining and a fantastic Sunday brunch are other reasons to drop by.

 

Descripción: Bathed in light and good favor, Breitner is a serious restaurant that prefers its clientele enjoy themselves rather than defer to its quality. In fact, you'll often find groups of friends frequenting the place, enjoying leisurely meals, and delighting in a menu that's sometimes a bit experimental but always good. Breitner also appeals to business professionals, who appreciate the fact that they can meet amid hip surroundings and dine without a contingent of overly attentive servers. Great food and ambience, no matter your purpose.

 

Descripción: Renowned for its Art Deco architecture and furnishings, this cafe has been a magnet for Amsterdam's art and literary circles for decades. Its fabulous interior invites folks to marvel while they lounge over strong coffee and a newspaper or indulge in lush meat and seafood dishes on linen-draped tables. Entrees, many of which are accented with delectable sauces, feature beef, lamb, duck, and an array of fresh fish and shellfish. Sunday brunch is a fantastic affair, boasting jazz musicians and a tempting spread of delicacies.

 

Descripción: Contemporary in style and boasting a wonderful location on the Amstel River, this large, popular cafe invites leisurely dining. Amid its spacious environs, patrons nurse cups of coffee, bask in the warmth of the waterside terrace, and sample lasagne, salads, soups, sandwiches, pastas, snack foods, and desserts. A favorite of creative types, the cafe also attracts folks who want to relax with a glass of wine or browse the selection of available periodicals. Great for day or evening.

 

Descripción: De Kroon's gracious interior, ornamented with French furniture and refined details, fits accordingly with the cafe's name, which means "crown." The upscale place offers lunch and dinner options and boasts a wonderful enclosed terrace that affords views of the square. Desserts and coffees satisfy those who simply want to soak in the ambience with a light repast. The cafe is the latest incarnation of the original De Kroon, which first threw open its doors in 1898 but closed at the beginning of the 1950s after losing its largely Jewish clientele during World War Two.

 

Descripción: Gleaming with coppery tones and polished woods, this warm, inviting cafe is a welcome sight in the city. Its delightful, well-portioned cuisine runs the gamut, from croquettes to salmon, sandwiches to spring rolls. You'll also find salads, soups, steaks, seafood, and a host of snacks and sweets. Many folks come in for a quick bite and end up lazing for hours in the comfortable atmosphere, or checking out the well-stocked international reading table. Outdoor dining is particularly nice when the weather's warm. From central station: tramway 1,2, or 5 and stop at Spui.